Improvement in explosive shells



G. W. TURNER. Explosive-Shell.

No; 206,153. Patented July I6, 1 7

WITNESSES UNITE-D STATES PATENT ()FFIGE.

GEORGE W. TURNER, OF TUIELO, MISSISSIPPI.

IMPROVEMENT IN EXPLOSIVE SHELLS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 206,153, dated July 16,1978; a 'iplication filed May 15, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEonGE W. TURNER, of Tnpelo, in the county of Lee,and in the State of Mississippi have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in BombShells; and do hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,making a part of this specification.

My invention consists in the construction of a bombshell, as will behereinafter more fully set forth.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my inventionappertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe itsconstruction and operation, referring to the annexed drawing, whichrepresents a longitudinal section of my improved bomb-shell.

A represents the cylindrical body of the shell, which may be made of apiece of hollow pipe or tube, of the best malleable steel or iron, ofthe desired size and thickness, and cut to any required length.

The inside of the pipe A, at the rear end, is made beveled, as shown atB, and immediately in front thereof is inserted the breech or breech-pinO, fitting the size of the shell, with heavy screw-threads to preventexplosion in the rear.

111 the front end of the shell is inserted the cap I), made in the usualform for elongated shells, and having a neck, I), which fits the muzzleof the shell, with small screw-threads.

The interior of the shell forms a powderchamber at E, and anotherchamber for the missiles F, which latter should accord in size with thecaliber of the gun and the purposes for which they are intended.

The cap of the shell presses on a thick felt wad, G, on top of theballs, and, by means of the small screw-threads uniting the cap to theshell, it holds the force of the explosion until it reaches its maximumstrength, when the cap is blown out and the balls F scattered.

The breech or breech-pin (l is provided with a central opening, in whichis screwed a metallic tube, H, incasing the fuse I, the fuses to befixed and marked as ordinary fuses for other shells.

The end of the tube H is provided with a staple or ring, J, to which isattached a caudal appendage, L, made either of a flattened rope, strap,or chain of any suitable length. This caudal appendage is coiled in thechamberB, around the staple or ring J, and a sabot, M, is inserted inthe end of the shell and rests on the coil, said sabot having a centralopening, a, to admit the lire from the explosion of the gun to ignitethe fuse.

hen the gun is fired off and the shell leaves the muzzle, the sabot Mdrops out, and the appendage L uncoils and acts like the feather to anarrow, to prevent the shell from turning in the air-or, in other words,to keep the point of the shell directly in front.

. The uncoiling of the caudal appendage is caused by means of the airpassing into the chamber 13 directly in rear of the breech-pin, throughinclined holes or passages I) I), which open in a groove, (7, formedcirmimfcrentiall y around the base of the shell.

Instead of one cord, strap, or chain formin g the caudal appendage forthe shell, I may use two, three, or more, if deemed advisable.

It will be readily perceived that after the explosion of the shell itwill be empty from the breech-pin to the muzzle, and the atmospherecoming in at the muzzle and passing out through the fuse-opening in thebreechpin will make a noise as hideous as a steamwhistle in the air, andwill have avery demoralizing effect on troops.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A bombshell composed of the body A, with breech-pin 0, having hollowscrew-tube II, for forming a passage for the fuse, and forming a rearchamber, B, the screw cap or point D,

and a caudal appendage, L, confined within the chamber B, substantiallyas and for the purposes herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this25th day of April, 1878.

GEORGE XV. TURNER \Vitnesses:

R. D. PORTER, J. M. PEELER.

